1,2-Ethandiolderivate und ihre Salze, Verfahren zu ihrer Herstellung und sie enthaltende gehirnfunktionsverbessernde Mittel

1-Phenyl-2-substd. oxy-ethanol derivs. of formula R1CH(OR2)CHR3-O-(CR4R5)n-R6 (I) and their salts are new; n is 0-6; R1 is phenyl (opt. substd. by (i) halogen, (ii) NQ1Q2, (iii) alkyl, acryl, aralkyl, alkoxy, aralkoxy, aryloxy, carbamoyloxy, alkylthio, alkenyl, alkenyloxy, aralkylthio, aralkylsulphonyl, arylsulphonyl, alkylsulphonylamino, arylsulphonylamino or Het, (all opt. substd.), or (iv) protected amino, opt. protected hydroxy, NO2, oxo or lower alkylenedioxy); R2 is H, alkyl or hydroxy-protecting gp.; R3-R5 are H or alkyl; R6 is ammonio, NQ1Q2 or Het; Het is N-bonded heterocyclic gp. e.g., pyrrolyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidyl, piperazinyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, pyridyl, tetrahydropyridyl, pyrimidinyl, morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, quinolyl, quinolizinyl, tetrahydroquinolyl, etc.; Q1, Q2 are H, opt. protected OH, alkyl (opt. substd. by opt. protected OH or opt. protected COOH), cycloalkyl, aryl, lower acyl, aralkyl, Het1, Het1-O-CO- (opt. substd. by oxo), adamantyl, alkylsulphonyl or arylsulphonyl; Het1 is N-contg. heterocycle as for Het; or e.g. furyl, thienyl, benzothienyl, pyranyl, isobenzofuraryl, imidazo(2,3-a)pyridyl, benzo(b)piperazinyl, chromenyl, isothiazolyl, isoxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, pyridazinyl, isoindolyl or isoquinolyl, etc.; all alkyl and alkenyl moieties are lower, i.e., up to 6C; with provisos.